Formation and photoluminescence of one-dimensional SiOx dot array–ZnO nanobelt heterostructures

Abstract

We designed and successfully synthesized novel SiO_x/ZnO heterostructures via one-step thermal reaction route. Orbicular SiO_x dots regularly and alternately arrange in the middle of the up/down surfaces of a nanobelt to form a one-dimensional SiO_x dot array, respectively, by their self-assembly. A high-resolution transmission electron microscopy study and a selected area electron diffraction pattern revealed that ZnO nanobelts are crystalline while SiO_x dots are amorphous. The formation process of such heterostructure is discussed in terms of the Stranski–Krastanow growth mode of semiconductor quantum dots. Strong white luminescence was observed by bare eyes when the photoluminescence spectrum was measured.